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Hi, and welcome to UKCS.

There was a single parents and solo campers group started on here last September, which has had several successful meets at various sites since then - I don't know if that would interest you? I'm a single camper and went to the Easter meet at a site in North Wales, met up with some great people and had a lovely weekend.

There's an 'anniversary' meet booked for September at Riverside camp site, Cononley near Skipton - I know there are no ehu pitches left but if you can manage without ehu you're welcome to join us if you fancy it. Have a look for the thread Northern Anniversary Meet, if you'd like to come then just book direct with the camp site - no deposit needed - and post your name etc on the thread.

I share some of your interests - not the motorhome building though! - and although I love camping alone with my two little dogs I admit it's nice occasionally to get together with other campers, regardless of their ages or interests, and have a good natter round a camp fire.

Hi again

Just a thought, if you're interested in joining us at the September meet it might be an idea to post on the thread first and introduce yourself then others know who you are. Also if you do book for it, when you ring the site tell Alison the owner you're with the UKCS meet then she can give you a pitch close to us.

Riverside is a lovely site with great views over the countryside, and not far from the main road running from Keighley to Skipton - the A629 I think. Cononley village is a nice little place and has a couple of pubs, both serving food, so you won't be short of somewhere to have a 'pie and a pint' if that's what you like to do.

You can always keep checking the 'meeting up' sections on here for any other get togethers - very often one of our group will fancy an impromptu weekend somewhere, book on a site then post where he/she is going so others can join in if they want to. They've had a couple of meets where I've not been able to go for the full weekend but have gone just for a day instead and it's been great.

Like you I like nature and the outdoors and never go far without my camera. I like to combine camping with photography and mainly use a campsite as a base from which to explore other places. A couple of years ago I started writing a blog about my travels, which is updated with various photos etc as soon as I get back from a camping trip - I'm now in the process of writing about my recent ten days on Anglesey, which is one of my favourite places. If you fancy having a read over a brew then you'll find my blog address from my homepage at the top of my post.

I hope you like what I've written so far; please feel free to comment on any particular page you read, I like to get a bit of feedback now and again then I know I'm not 'talking' to myself! lol

Incidentally, I've just seen your other post about possible full timing, have a look here - http://ourlifeinacaravan.blogspot.co.uk/ - you'll get some tips and ideas from there and he won't mind if you contact him and ask questions.

Btw, what sort of a van do you have with a bed in the back? I have a large people carrier which has been adapted at the back for the dogs, if I'm camping for more than two nights I turn the middle into a bed and put a drive-away awning on the side. It costs and arm and a leg to run as it's got a big engine but just so adaptable for camping and an absolute dream to drive.

If you like a warm bed then try Aldi fleece blankets, you won't need an electric one. They are good quality and quite thick - use one under instead of a sheet and one over plus a duvet and you'll be as warm as toast, trust me. They are so good I even use them on my bed here at home. I must admit when it's been really chilly when camping I've used a hot water bottle but only because my feet get cold easily - other than that, no electric blanket needed. They usually appear in the stores round about the end of September/early October, if you go on their website and sign up for their free email newsletter you'll be notified twice a week of their forthcoming special offers etc. The blankets go quick though so if you do want some then get them as soon as they become available.

I know what you mean about the bed in the van going longways as my ex was 6ft 2. Many years ago we did consider buying a campervan - a converted post office van - from a neighbour but the bed went across it and there was no way he would have been comfortable so we gave up on that one and got a trailer tent instead. I remember once years ago falling out of the back of a Renault Trafic, fortunately it was parked up outside work when it happened! lol

Quote: Originally posted by computerrepairs4u on 16/6/2012

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Van looks cool, unusual shape, may have a think about buying a drive away awning but do they leak between the van and awning? Must be difficult to seal that bit.

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The van is a Toyota Granvia mpv, based on the later model HiAce van - 3L turbo diesel automatic and goes like the proverbial s**t off a shovel. From here to the site I go to on Anglesey would normally take 2 hours 20 minutes but one evening last year year I did it in 1 hour 30! Not something I would normally do and haven't done since but there was very little traffic on the road at the time and after being at work I just wanted to get there.

I can't comment on any drive away awnings other than the one I have but there are certainly no leaks between it and the van. The van doesn't have a rain gutter, or whatever you call it, so I can't connect the awning using figure of eight strip or clamps - I have three guy lines tied to the pole sleeve front, centre and rear, which I throw over the top of the van and peg down at the other side. As long as they are pulled tight enough to keep the pole in place on top of the van there are no leaks - also the front flap pegs down close to the nearside front wheel and the back flap pegs close to the rear of the van so no leaks from the side either. The one thing I have to remember though if it's been raining, water collects on the top of the flap so I have to make sure the van door is closed before I release it or my bed gets wet!

The site you went to in Scotland looks nice. I've only been to the highlands once, nearly five years ago now, to a little coastal place called Arisaig and the end of the site went right onto the beach. Lovely little site with views to die for and I've always intended to go back but haven't managed it yet - maybe next year if the bank balance can afford the fuel cost to get there and back.

Quote: Originally posted by computerrepairs4u on 17/6/2012

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Seems to be a grey area when you have a van (no windows). Is it a van or a motorhome? Some charge for car & tent (fair, as it actually takes less space than car+tent) , others have charged for a large motorhome. How do you describe your vehicle at the campsite?

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